Apparatus and method for temperature regulation



D. D. WILE June 25, 1935.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE REGULATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 22, 19330 I avwemtoz @5 fluted ma June 25, 1935.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE REGULATION D. D, WILE f 50 I46 I53 m v 3 gvwentoz D. D. WlLE 2,006,306

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE REGULATION June 25, 1935.

Filed May 22, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet hm A 71 40 35 awe 144mg au'veutoz Patented June 25, 1935 UNITED STATES APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TEMPERA TURE REGULATION Daniel D. Wile, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Detroit I Lubricator Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application May 22, 1930, Serial No. 454,548

35 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a method of regulating or controlling temperature or sensible heat and an apparatus for carrying out my novel method.

An object of my invention is to provide a method for accurately maintaining a predetermined desired degree of sensible heat.

Another object is to provide a method by which temperature may be varied or changed at a substantially uniform rate, that is, such that temperature change plotted against time will be substantially a straight line curve.

Another object is to provide a method for determining the accuracy of response of thermoeltatiic means to predetermined degrees of sensible Another object is to provide a method for determining the extent to which the response of thermostatic means lags behind a predetermined point in a range of temperature variation at which the thermostatic means is intended to respond and to which temperature the thermostatic means is subjected.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of simple construction for efficiently carrying out my novel method.

The invention consists in the novel apparatus, the novel structure or parts comprising the apparatus, the novel aggroupment of the parts in cooperable relation, and the novel method effected by means of the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings, to be taken as a part of this specification, I have fully and clearly illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, in which drawings- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the com 'plete apparatus of my invention and by which my novel methodmay be performed;

Fig. 2 is a detail view in front elevation of a control means comprising a part of the apparatus; V

Fig. 3 is a view in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view in section on the line 55 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is an" enlarged diagrammatic view showing a modification of certain structure of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, A designates a chamber which is in-.

sulated and is adapted to contain a temperature responsive or thermostatic means I (shown diagrammatically) which controls an electric relay system B. The system B controls through the medium of an electrical and mechanical drive means or system C, a recording. means D, and a balancing system E for determining the temperature or degree of sensible heat in the chamber A at any instant in a given period of time. In the system E is a variable resistance or motor operated voltage regulator system F and an electric bridge system G.

The chamber A has rigidly constructed side and bottom walls 2, 3 and a cover or closure member 4 for the upper open end of the chamber A. The walls 2, 3 and member 4 are heat insulated or of heat insulating material such as cork or the like. The cover member 4 is preferably rabbeted at its periphery so as to fit in the chamber opening and rest upon the wall 2, and is also provided with a gasket 5 of soft rubber or the like to effectively seal thev joint. Carried rigidly by the member 4 is an electric motor or driving means 6, preferably of the variable speed type, supplied with current from a power line I through an electric switch or control means 8 and a rheostat 9' by which the motor speed may be controlled. The shaft in of motorli extends substantially vertically downward through a close fitting aperture in the member Q and has fixed on its free end adjacent the inside face of member 4, a fan or stirring means I! by which the temperature of the atmosphere, preferably air, within the chamber A may be homogenized, and the chamber-contained air may be caused to flow or circulate within the chamber. In the chamber A is a duct member or passage-forming bafile member I2 which is open at its ends and which extends substantially vertically and longitudinally of the chamber in spaced relation to the walls and cover member thereof. The spacing of the member I2 from the walls of the chamber provides a flow passage I3 which opens into transverse spaces I4, I5 abo e and below member, so that the fan blades I6 may be positioned in alinement with passage I3 and so adjusted as to cause flow downward through passage I3. Within the member I2 in laterally spaced relation thereto, is a vertically extending duct or container member H which is open at its top and bottom ends, the open ends, however, preferably being covered or overlaid respectively with foraminous members I8, I9, such as screen members of fine wire mesh or the like, the member! being removably secured to the member I1. ..The members I2 and II are preferably supported by leg or standard members 20, 2| respectively, which are fixed to the inside face of the bottom wall 3. In thepassage I3 and surrounding member I2 v are a plurality of vertically spaced heating means 22, 23 for chamber A, which are preferably independent electric resistance heating coils mounted on annular forms and carried respectively by brackets 24, 25 fixed to the inside face of wall 2. Also in passage I3 is a means 26 for withdrawing heat from chamber A and which is preferably positioned below the means 22, 23, the means 26 preferably being a refrigerating coil or the like surrounding member I2 and supplied with cooling medium or refrigerant by means of the pipes or conduits 21, of which but one is shown and which lead into chamber A through tight fitting apertures in the wall 3. The space between members I2 and I1 comprises an upfiow passage, designated 28, in which is a temperature responsive means 29, preferably an electric resistance element or coil surrounding member I1. The

- means 29 is of material having a resistance sensitive to temperature, such as nickel wire or the like. The means 29 is preferably positioned adjacent the lower end of passage 28 and carried by an annular form supported on brackets or the like 36 secured to the inside face of member I2. Within the member I1 at its upper end, are supporting means 3|, such as hooks or lugs which are interconnected by a wire or other tie mem ber- 32 from which depends a coil spring member 33 carrying a weight member 34 for removably supporting a thermostatic element or member I against vibration, and which is to be tested. The member I may be part of a complete device which includes electric switch means having electric contact means 35, 36, contact being made and broken by member I, or the. member I may be separate from the contact means 35, 36. If the member I is separate from the contact means 35, 36, then the means 35, 36 will be a part of the chamber A with the member I alone being inserted in chamber A for test in electrical and mechanical cooperativerelation to the means 35, 36. Extending from the contact means or mem bers 35, 36 and from member I, are lead wires 31, 38 and 39 respectively, which'pass through tight fitting alined apertures 40, 4| and 42 in member I1, member I2 and wall 2, respectively. Certain thermostatic switch devices do not employ the thermostatic member I as an electric conductor, but merely as a contact actuating means (see Fig. 6), wherein the member is shown as an expansive fluid charged, expansible-collaps' ible, resilient, metallic element or bellows I' which acts through linkage to rock or tilt a mercury contact tube about its pivot 42' to make or break the circuit between leads 39 and 31, or between leads 39 and 38 at the contacts 352136 respectively. The primes of reference characters applied to Fig. 1 being used as the characters designate similar parts. Positioned within the member I1 are means 43, 44 for measuring temperature and velocity of air flow respectively, and which are preferably a thermocouple having a temperature indicating mechanism 45 and an anemometer such as that described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 415,259, filed December 19, 1929, and having a velocity indicating mechanism 46 and a regulatable source of electromotive force, 41. -From the'coil 22 extend conducting wires or leads 48, 49, and from the coil 23 extend leads 59, 5|, which pairs of leads pass respectively through tight fitting apertures 52, 53 in the wall 2, and from coil 29 extend leads 54,- 55, which last pair passes through tight fitting apertures 56, 51 in the duct member I2 and the wall 2 respectively. The leads- 48, 49 connect with the variable resistance means or motor operated voltage regulator F and thence to line, while the leads 50, 5| connect with the relay system B and thence to line, and the leads 54, 55 connect into the bridge system G.

The relay system B may be supplied with current from a common source at the points designated Line M and Line N, or if desired, under certain conditions may be supplied at such points from different sources. In the lines M and N are control switches 58, 59 respectively, the leads 69, 6| from switch 58 being connected to the primary of a transformer 62. From the transformer secondary, a lead 63 extends to the windings, in parallel, of relay magnets 65, 66. From the windings extend leads 61, 68 connected to contacts 69, 10 respectively, and which are electrically connected, respectively, to the leads 31, 38 from chamber A. The magnet 65, when energized, acts to'attract the interconnected insulated blades 1|, 12 of a double-pole, double-throw switch and to make contact between blade 12 and contact 69, while blade 1| is moved into contact with a lead terminal or contact 13.

blade 14 and the contact 10. The blades 12 and 14 are connected by a lead wire 15 in which is a con- The magnet 66, when energized, acts to make contact betweenv a switch connected to the lead 39 from chamber A, while the contact 18 is connected by a lead 8| which is connected to lead and to the opposite side from lead 63 of the transformer secondary. From the switch 59 extend leads 82, 83, the lead 83 being connected to the switch blade 1|, and the lead 82 being connected to he winding of a solenoid 84, having a function to be described. The contacts 19, 13 with which the blade 1| cooperates are connected by leads to contacts 85, 86;

respectively of a manual switch having a switch blade 81 which is electrically connected by a lead 88 to the winding of solenoid 84 to complete the circuit therethrough. The leads 58, 5| from heater coil 23 connect to the leads 82, 88 respectively. In the lead 50 is a rheostat or variable resistance means 89, and connected across the leads 59, 5| is an electric signal lamp 90'which will indicate when current is on or off in the circuit.

The core 9| of the solenoid 84 is rotatable and forms a part of the drive system C, which will now be described. On the core 9| which serves as a driven shaft is splined or keyed, for movement axially of the shaft, a gear wheel 92 which meshes with a compound reducing gear wheel 93 in mesh with a gear wheel 94 fixed on a shaft 95. Intermediate the ends of shaft 95 is fixed a. worm wheel 96 in mesh with a worm gear wheel 91 fixed on a substantially horizontal shaft 98 which is screw-threaded, as at 99, and carries a nut member It!!! held by any suitable means against rotation so that rotation of shaft 98 will cause axial travel of the member I00 therealong. Mounted on the member I90 is an electric contact IIlI insulated from shaft 98, from which extends a flexible electric'lead I02 to permit free travel of mema reservoir inking pen or other marking means ber I and which comprises a part of the bridge system G to be described.

The shaft 95 serves to drive a part of the recording system D, and has fixed thereon a gear wheel I03 in mesh with a gear wheel I04 on a shaft I which has fixed thereon a bevel gear wheel I06 in mesh with a bevel gear wheel I01 fixed on a shaft I08. The shaft I08 which is preferably substantially horizontal, is screwthreaded, as at I09, and carries a nut member H0, for a purpose to be described, which is suitably fixed against rotation so as to compel travel thereof axiallyof shaft I08 as the shaft is rotated. Fixed on the shaft 9| is a bevel gear wheel III which is movable into and out of engagement with a bevel gear wheel H2 on a stub shaft H3, and which is in mesh with a bevel gear wheel H4 fixed on a shaft H5 alined with shaft 9I. Between the gear wheels III and H4 is a clutch means I I6, such that the clutch is disengaged or thrown out when the gear wheels III and H2 are in mesh and is in engagement for direct drive between shafts H5 and 9| when the gear wheels HI and H2 are out of mesh. It is thus apparent that the clutch means I I6 which may be of any suitable and desirable type, serves 'to permit reversal of rotation of shaft 9| upon energization and deenergization of solenoid 84, and consequently to cause each of the nut mem bers I00 and H0 to reverse indirection of travel along their respective shafts. Intermediate the ends of shaft H5 is a worm wheel H1 in mesh with a worm gear wheel H8 fixed on a shaft H9 carrying a gear wheel I20 which meshes with a gear wheel I2I on a shaft I22 to rotate a drum I23. The shafts I09 and I22 are preferably substantially parallel and adjacent so that I24 carried. by the member H0 may have overlying engaging relation with the drum I23 and be moved longitudinally thereof by the travel of member H0. The drum preferably has clip means or the like I24 by which a recording chart or sheet I25 may be removably mounted on the circumference thereof. The shaft H5 may be engaged with or disengaged from an alined shaft I26 by means of a manually operable clutch I21 of any known type having its cooperable parts respectively fixed to shafts H5 and I26. On the shaft I26 is a bevel gear wheel I28 which meshes with a bevel gear wheel I29 rigid on a substantially horizontal shaft I30 which drives certain ele-' ments of the balancing system E, to be described. Also on the shaft I26 is a worm gear wheel I3I which is in mesh with a worm wheel I32 fixed on the shaft I33 of a constant speed electric motor I34, or other constant speed prime mover. having a current supply-from the line through switch'controlled motor leads I35, I36. A collar I31 or the like may be fixed on shaft 9I in operative engagement with one end of a pivoted bell clapper lever member I38, which at its free end extends between differently pitched gongs I39, I 39', so that the striking of the gongs by the member I38 will give audible and different signals of the reversal of rotation shafts above defined, is in practice provided with means, not shown, as the disclosure of Fig. 1

st-antially in the horizontal plane of shaft I49 suitable supporting and bearing or journal is diagrammatic.

The shaft I30, as above noted, serves to actuate certain of the elements of the system E, which comprises the following structure: Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5; I40 designates a vertically positioned back or base board or supporting member which is universally resiliently mounted by means of horizontal and vertical coil springs or the like MI, I42, clamped to the member I48 and supported on horizontal and vertical studs I43, I44, respectively, rigid with a main supporting panel member I45. Extending forward substantially at right angles to the base member I40, are horizontally spaced supporting arm or bar members I46, I41 which are in the horizontal axial line of the shaft I30. Secured to the shaft I30 by a flexible coupling I48 or the like, is a shaft extension I49 which is journaledin bearing apertures I50, I5I in the members I45, I41, respectively. Collars I52, I53 fixed on shaft I49 between members I46, I41 maintain the shaft against endwise play. Extending in opposed relation toward each other from the members I45, I41, are substantially horizontal supporting members I54, I55 respectively, to the front face of which are secured resilient, upwardly extending stop or limiting members I56, I51, preferably leaf springs, having at their upper ends forward extending pins or lugs having on their upper sides supporting steps or portions I58, I59, and holding or looking portions I60, I6I positioned rearwardly of the portions I58, I59 and adjacent the front faces of members I56, I51. On the rear faces of members I56, I51 adjacent their tops, are depending hook or lug members I62, I63. Rising from each member I 46, I41 are front and rear post members I64, I65, and I66, I61. Pivotally supported or fulcrumed on opposed pins or pintles I68, I69, adjustably'fixed in the 'rear post 'members I66, I61, respectively, is an oscillatable member I10, which extends forwardly. of post members I64, I65 and which is movable up and down or substantially vertically, and is preferably of substantially U-shaped formation having alined bearing recesses I1I in its rearwardly extending leg extremities which receive the pins I68, I69. Fixed rigidly to and depending at a rearward inclination from the leg connecting or base portion of member I10, is an arm or member I12 (see Fig. 5). The lower end of member I12 extends, as at I13, rearwardly and upwardly upon itself and then substantially horizontally rearwardly to provide a cam engaging portion or member I14 in line with shaft I49. Threadedly engaged in an aperture in member I12, is an adjustment screw I15 which at its inner end abuts the upturned part I13. Also fixed rigidly to the base portion of member I10, is a bracket member I16 having spaced, upstanding stop arms or fingers I11, I18, for a purpose to be described, and which project; above the plane of the base portion. Secured to the front post member I64 is an adjustable stop member I8I which extends beneath member I for limiting the downward movement thereof. Extending forward from the base member I40 beneath members I64, I65 are substantially horizontal spaced supporting bars or members I82, I83 having opposed bearing pins I84 substantially vertically beneath themembers I54, 155 (see Fig. 3). Journaled between or pivoted on the pins I84, is an oscillatable, upwardly extending member I85 movable fore and aft at its upper end in a substantially horizontal plane. Subis a cam engaging or pin member I85 adjustably secured to and carried by the member I85. At its upper end the member I85 terminates submember I51 and the hook member I63, so that rearward movement of member I85 will flex the members I5, I51 from their normal, substantially vertical positions by engagement of arm portions I81, I88 with hook members I62, I63, respectively. On the shaft I49 are adjustably fixed cams I89, I90 which cooperate respectively with the members I14, I86. The cam I90 is substantially cylindrical and has a concave recess I9I in its periphery into which the member I86 rides under the force of a spring means I92 which is,more powerful than the leaf springs I56, I51 and extends between the member I85 and the member I 40. The means I92 is preferably a leaf spring fixed to member 85 and which engages the underside of a rod or bar I93 joining the supporting bars I82, I83. Fixed to the base member I40 between the supporting members I45, I 41 and resting upon the members I82; I83, is a magnet !94 of a galvanometer or other instrument which is sensitive to current flow and may be of any standard construction having pole pieces I95 between which is positioned an oscillatable coil I96 adjustably suspended by and between vertical electric conductors I91, I98, and having coil adjustment means I90, 200, as is well known in the art. The coil i536 has secured thereto a forwardly projecting oscillating means or needle 20I which terminates forward of the bracket I and is movable in a substantially horizontal plane between the stop fingers or means I11, I18, and normally just sufficiently above the bracket to swing freely clear thereof. The needle I is also vertically movable within limits permitted by the resilience of the conductors I91, I98, for a purpose to'be described. Adjacent the tops of the post members I64, I65 are alined forwardly and rearwardly projecting, substantially horizontal bearing or pivot pins 202, 203 and 204, 205. Pivoted or fulcrumed on the pins 202, 203, is a lever or operating means 206 having a U or hook-shaped end to provide opposed bearing surfaces 201, 208 respectively, having alined bearing sockets or apertures to receive the pins 202, 203. The lever 206 normally extends substantially horizontally toward the needle 20I, terminating just short of the same, which extends forwardly therebeyond, and so as to permit free vertical movement or lift of the needle 20I when the needle is in normal central position without the needle engaging the lever 206. The underside of the lever 206 is preferably recessed, as at 209, to provide a supporting face which normally rests upon the pin portion I58 of the rearwardly flexed limiting member I56, at such a height that the needle 20I will just pass freely under the lever 206. Secured to the lever 206 adjacent its top and free inner end, is a pin or projecting member 2I0 of insulating material or insulated from the lever 206. Pivoted or fulcrumed on post member pins 204, 205, is a lever or operating member 2 which is similar to lever 206, except that it is the reverse thereof, and therefore the primes of the characters applied to lever 206 designate similar parts of the lever 2I I. Rising from the top faces of the post members I64,

- I65 are screw studs or the like 2I2, 2|3 which respectively support'a plurality of superposed contact members 2I4, 2I5, M6 and 2I1, 2I8, 2I9,

which are resilient, as leaf springs, for vertical flexing. The contact members are insulated from each other and from the post members I64, I65 by insulating blocks or the like 220 mounted on the studs 2I2, 2I3. The intermediatecontaet members 2I5, 2I8 are longer than the others of their groups and extend over and in substantial engagement respectively with theinsulated lever pin members 2), 210, so that upward movement of levers 206, 2| I will lift the contact members 2I5, 2I8 respectively. Suitable cooperable contact points or buttons secured to the contact members are provided, as follows: On members 2I4, 2I5 are points 22I, 222; on members 2I5, 2I6 are points 223, 224; on members 2I1, 2I8 are points 225, 226,., and on members 2I8, 2I9 are points 221, 228. ."The points or buttons 223, 224 and 221, 228 are normally in engagement and so held by the resilience of their contact mem here. From the members 2I4, 2I5, 2I6, 2I1, 2I8 and 2I9 respectively, extend electric leads or conductors 229, 230, 23I, 232, 233 and 234, all

of which connect to the system F.

A motor operated induction voltage regulator 235 (see Fig. 1) is preferably employed in the system F, the regulator being fed from the line by switch controlled conductors 236, 231. The loads 48, 49 from coil 22 connect to the regulator 235 so that the current supplied to the coil 22 from conductors 236, 231 is automatically controlled. The regulator 235 is driven by a motor 233 connected thereto by shafts and gearing 239 or the like. The'leads 230, 233 from the contact members 2I5, 2I8 are connected to the terminals of the motor 238, and are supplied with current through switch controlledleads from the line, as 240, 24 I, which are connected together and which have in their circuit the field coil 242 of motor 238. A variable resistance 242' is connected across the leads 240, MI, and from the movable contact thereof extends'a lead 243 which joins and is common to the leads 229, 232. The leads 23I, 234 are connected to contact arms 244, 245 of a safety device of any known construction, which is controlled by and controls the regulator 235, for example, as follows: The arms 244, 245 normally engage contact points 246, 241 which are interconnected by a lead 248 which joins the circuit 240, 24I. The arms 244, 245 are separately movable out of contact with their contacts 246, 241 by a finger or projecting member 249 actuated by the principal moving part of the regulator 235, so that member 249 will operate arms 244, 245 to break the contact thereof with their points 246, 241 before a dangerous limit of movement has been reached by the regulator 235.

The electric bridge system G controls, through leads 250-, 25I which are connected to the coil supporting conductors I91, I98 respectively, the system F by actuating the movable coil I96, as will be described. The lead 250 joins the flexible lead I02 of the movable contact IOI, whereas the lead 25I is connected to the movable contact 252 of a variable resistance member 253 which is electrically positioned between fixed resistance members 254, 255, which at their opposite ends are connected by leads 256, 251 respectively, to a battery current supply 258, or othersource of electromotive force. The contact 252 is manually adjustable to provide means for varying'the ratio of the resistance values of members 253, 254 and 255 to the right and left of point 252, so that the range of temperature within chamber A' may be varied independently of the contact I 0| and resistance member 260. The temperature responformity in the refrigerating effect.

sive resistance member 29 positioned in chamber A is in series circuit by means of leads 54, 55 with a fixed resistance member 259 and an adjustable resistancemember 269, which is electrically positioned between the resistance members 29 and 259. The resistance members 29, 260 and 259 are in parallel circuit with resistance members 253, 254 and 255, the free ends of resistance members 29 and 259 being connected to the battery supply leads 251, 256 respectively. The contact IOI engages or electrically contacts the resistance member 260 and is movable therealong upon rotation of the threaded shaft 98 to determine the resistance of resistance member 29 which will balance the bridge system G and thereby prevent flow of current through the galvanometer coil I96 and maintain the needle 20I stationary in normal central position. It may be noted, as is well known to those skilled in the art, that all of the resistance members in the bridge system G,

except the resistance member 29, are insensitive to temperature, and preferably of material such as manganin.

I will now proceed to describe my method ,as

, carried out by the above definedapparatus, it

being understood that the following example is merely illustrative of a particular use performed by my apparatus-namely, the testing of thermostatic means-and that the method of maintaining or regulating sensible heat embodied in the testing method is applicable to other uses, such, for example, as in heat treating or annealing processes at either'high or low temperature, in chemical or drying processes where a uniform temperature or temperature change is desired, and in the cooling of large brittle masses, as glass, wherein it is imperative that the rate of cooling be slow and constant or uniform. A thermostatic means I is positioned in chamber A on the vibrationless supporting member 34, and if means I is a thermostatic electric conducting element,

then means I will be connected to lead 39, while if means I does not function as an electric conducting element, then a mechanical and electrical arrangement such as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6 would be employed, wherein the means I' is solely a mechanical means for actuating the switch tube, one of each pair of the contacts of which are connected in common to lead 39, while the remaining contacts 35, 36' of each pair are connected to the leads 31, 38 respectively. The screen member I8 is positioned on member I1 and the cover member 4 is replaced to seal the chamber A. The flow of refrigerant through coils 26 is started, the parts of clutch I21 are engaged, the fan motor switch 8 is closed, as are the line switches 58, 59, 16, the bridge circuit switch EM, and the switches controlling line leads I35 and I36, 236 and 231 and 240 and MI, the switch 81 being in the full line position of Fig. 1. The anemometer circuit is closed and the fan motor is adjusted by the rheostat 9 to provide the de-' sired constant rate of air flow through the container I1 and over the means I, as indicatedby the anemometer indicating means 46. The refrigerating effect produced in. chamber A by the coils 26, is preferably sufficient to withdraw heat from chamber A at a rate greater than one-half the rate at which heat is supplied by the resistance coil 23 in order to allow for non-uni- The heater 23 is controlled by the rheostat 89 to supply heat tochamber A at a rate substantially equal'to twice the desired predetermined rate of change of sensible heat in the chamber A. 'The heat supplied and withdrawn by means 23 and 26, respectively, will vary, due to non-uniformity of current from the line N and variation of refrigerant 's'upply. Even though the means 23 and 26 could be held at a predetermined constant value, the temperature within the chamber A could not be held constant, due to heat leakage from the chamber A to surrounding atmosphere.

either by constant increments or constant decrements, the heater 22 is provided in chamber A. This resistance coil 22 controls and is controlled by the sensible heat or temperature of chamber A and supplies heat at a rate suiiicient to make up for the heat withdrawn by means 26 in excess of one-half the heat supplied by means 23, and also to make up for losses to atmosphere from chamber A By supplying heat to and withdrawing heat from the chamber A in the amounts or at the rates stated, I am enabled to provide a constant decreasing rate of change of temperature in chamber A by merely cutting off the current supply to heating coil 23, which is automatically accomplished by the relay system B, and which occurs when switch blade 1| is in the position of Fig. 1.

When the thermostatic means i or I is temperature satisfied, or has moved to a high limit for which it is set or adjusted, and makes or causes contact between lead 39 and contact point 35, current will flow from the secondary of transformer 62 through leads BI, 89 and 39 to thermostatic electric conducting means I of Fig. l, or to the mercury in the rockable tube of Fig. 6, thence to contact point 35, leads 31 and 61 to and through the winding of relay magnet 65 and through lead 63 back to the transformer secondary. Current flow through magnet 65 will attract blades 1 I, 12, making contact between blades H, '12 and points 13, 69, respectively, to maintain current flow through magnet t5, irrespective of movement of means I or I and until contact is made between lead 39 and point 39, either by means I or the mercury in the tube of Fig. 6, due to the following circuit: Transformer 62, lead 8i contact point 18,

blade 14, conductor and switch 16, blade 12,.

contact 69, lead 61, magnet $5, and lead 63 back to the transformer 62. The making of contact between blade 1I and point 13 completes the circuit through solenoid 88, which lifts shaft 9i, sounding signal gong I39, disengaging bevel gear wheels iii and H 12 and engaging or throwing in clutch M6 to directly connect motor driven shaft I I5 and shaft 91 thereby to reverse the rotation of shafts 9 i, 95 and 98 and cause nut member I80 and its contact point Hill to move toward the left of Fig. l at a constant rate under the driving force of motor 139. Reversal of rotation of shaft 95 will reverse the rotation of shafts I96 and I98, to reverse, simultaneously with the reversal of travel of member I98, the direction of .2541 and the part of member 253 to the-left of contact point 252 facing Fig. l, is to the sum of the resistance values of member 255 and the part of member 253 to the right of contact point 252 facing Fig. 1 as the sum of the resistance values of member 259 and the part of member 260 to the left of contact point IOI facing Fig. 1 is to the sum of the resistance values ofmember 29 and the part of member 260 to the right of point IOI when facing Fig. 1. The change by constant increments or decrements of the resistance values of the parts of member 260 to the left and right of point IOI caused by the rotation of shaft 98 and consequent travel of member I00 to the left or right of Fig. 1, normally tends to throw the system G out of balance; but if the temperature within chamber A is changing at the desired predetermined rate of increase or decrease, then the variation in the resistance value of member 29 will be the exact complement of the variation in resistance value of member 260 and the system G will be accurately in balance. The bridge system G is of the Wheatstone type, and therefore when the same is balanced, there will not be any current flow through leads 250, 25I and the coil I96, so that the needle 20I will remain stationary in normal central position between the ends of the spaced levers 206, 2. -The motor I34 rotates shafts I26 and I30 through gearing, above described, at a constant speed. The rotating shaft I30 continuously rotates the cams I89, I90 clockwise of Fig. 3, the cams I89, I90 cooperating with the cam engaging members I14, I86 respectively to intermittently actuate the members I 10 and I respectively. The cams I89, I are so set relative to each other that as pin I86 moves, under the force of spring means I92, into recess I9 I, and means I 92 oscillates member I85 rearwardly or from the left to right of Fig. 3, the point or projection on cam I89 will engage projection I14 of the member I10 to lift or oscillate the same clockwise of Fig. 3 about its fulcrum points I68, I69. The rearward movement of member I85 acts through arms I81, I88 and hook members I62, I63 to flex latch members I56, I51 rearwardly, if they are not already in such position, so that step pin portions I58, I59 come directly beneath the l'evers 206, 2 respectively. As the member I10 lifts, the bracket member I16 engages the underside of needle 20I, lifting the same above the lower edge of levers 206, 2 and sufficiently to carry either contact point 222 or 224 into engagement with its cooperating contact point 22I or 223 respectively, should the needle 20I be positioned under one or the other of levers 206, 2 respectively. However, as above noted, if the system G remains in balance, needle 20I will not be moved by coil I96, contact will normally be maintained between points 223 and 224 of contact members 2I5, 2I6, and points 221, 228 of members 2| 8, 2I9, which short circuits the motor 238 so that the regulator 235 does not vary the current supply to heating coil 22. Even under ideal conditions, however, there will probably be a variation of temperature within the chamber A. Any variation which may occur will, however, be automatically and instantly corrected for by the action of the resistance member 29. Should the temperature of chamber A be other than of the desired predetermined degree, the resistance value of member 29 will fail to complement the resistance value of the part of member 260 to the right of contact point IOI. When such a discrepancy in the proper balancing resistance value occurs, the forward end of needle 20I will be deflected or moved toward the right or left facing Figs. '1 and 2. 'If, for example, a deficiency of sensible heat below the desired predetermined degree occurs in chamber A, causing swing of the needle 20I to the right, then as member I10 is lifted, it will engage needle 20I and acting therethrough lift the lever 2I I, breaking contact between points 221, 228 of members 2 I8, 2I9, and making contact between points 225, 226 of members 2I1, 2I8. As

lever 2 is lifted off of step portion I59 by cam I89, pin I86 will move into cam recess I9I and spring I92 will move member I85'rearwardly without substantially affecting the positions of members I56, I51, they being held in rear position by engagement of the shoulders on step portions I53, I59 against the rear faces of levers 2 06, 2I I. The nose or projection on cam I89 is designed to hold member I10 in maximum raised position until pin I86 rides out of recess I9I, so that member I85 releases latch members I56, I51 to permit the inherent resilience of member I51 to carry itself forward to position the latching or looking portion I6I beneath the lever 2II to hold the contact points 225, 226 in engagement during the time when cam I89 permits member I10 and needle 20I to drop back to normal position and until the cam pin I86 again moves into recess I9I; but just before pin I86 again enters recess I9I, member I10 and needle 20I, provided needle 20I is still deflected, will be lifted by cam I89 to hold lever 2| I in its raised position until pin I86 again travels through the cam recess I9I. However, if needle 20I has returned to normal central position, then needle 20I will be lifted freely between levers 206, 2 II as member I51 is moved rearwardly, so that as step portion I59 comes beneath lever 2| I, the lever will drop down onto' portion I59, thus breaking contact at 225, 226 to short circuit motor 239 as contacts 221, 228 again engage each other. When the contacts 225, 226 are closed, current will flow to the armature of motor 238, asfollows: From the line through lead 240, resistance means 242, leads 243 and 232 to the engaged contact members 2I1, 2 I8, lead 233, the motor armature, lead' 230, 'normally closed contact members 2I5, 2I6, lead 23I, arm 2, contact 246, and leads 248, 2, back to the line. The energization of motor 238 will operate regulator 235 through gearing 239 to cause an increased current flow to resistance member 22, which will increase the rate at which heat is supplied to chamber A. As soon as the deficiency in heat is made up, the bridge system G will be balanced, returning needle 20I to normal central position, so that cam I90 on moving the holding means I6I rearward, will release or unlock lever 2I I, as above noted. Should the temperature or degree of sensible heat in chamber A become greater than the desired predetermined degree at any instant in a given period of time, then the resistance member 29 will throw the system G out of balance in the opposite direction, deflecting the needle 20I to the left of Fi 1, so that member I10 when lifted by cam I89, will act through needle 20I to lift lever' 20I to break circuitat points 223, 22! and make circuit at points 22 I, 222, which change in contacts results in energization of the motor 238 to operate regulator 235 to decrease currentflow to coil 22 and thereby bring the temperature in chamber A back to the desired predetermined degree. The circuit traversed by the current when needle 20I is deflected to the left on an excess of sensible heat in chamber A,

is symmetrical to that when the needle 20I is depoint 36, is substantially the same as above set forth when contact is made between lead 39 and contact 35, save that the current flow through the relay system B is somewhat different and circuit is broken through relay magnet by energization of magnet 66 attracting blade 14 to break contact at 14, 18, which releases blades H and 12 and breaks contact -1I, 13 deenergizing solenoid 34 which results in engagement of gears III, H2 and the reversal of travel of contact Il'II and marking mea'ns I24. The current flow upon energization of magnet 66 and deenergization of magnet 65, is as follows: From line M through transformer 62, lead 63, relay magnet 66, leads 68 and 38, contact 36, means I and leads 39, and 8| back to the transformer. Energization of magnet 68 attracts blade 14, making circuit between contact point 10 and blade 14, so that the magnet 66 serves to maintain the following circuit and prevent change of position of the released blades 1I, 12, irrespective of any movement of members I or I short of engagement between lead, 39 and contact 35: From the transformer 62, through lead 63, magnet 66, lead 68, point 10, blade 14, conductor 15 and switch 16, blade 12, contact 11 and leads 80 and BI back to the transformer.

Should it be desired to employ my method with a member I or operating to make and break circuit between a single contact and lead-39, then the switch 16 is opened, cutting out the magnet 66 so that the lead 39 and contacts 35 or 35 are alone used. Irrespective of whether the type of. member is that designated I or I', which is operatively-positioned in chamber A, the operation of the apparatus will be as above described for closing of contact between leads 31 and 39. However, it may be noted that with switch 16 open, magnet 65 will not act to hold blades 1|, 12 in engagement with contacts 13, 69, respectively, but there will be a reversal from increasingto decreasing temperature, or vice versa, in chamber A as soon as circuit is made or broken between leads 31 and 39.

When the apparatus is to be employed to perform my method for testing thermostatic elements or means which operate on a decreasing temperature, such as those for use in controlling refrigeration, or the like, the switch blade ,81 is thrown toymake contact with terminal 85, as shown in dotted line position, Fig. 1, which, as is apparent, merely reverses the action of the solenoid 84 and the structure controlled thereby. The marking means I24, which as above noted, cooperates with drum I23, serves to record on the chart I25 the rateof temperature change and the points in the range of temperature in chamber A at which the means I' or I responds. Any desired constant degree of temperature may be accurately maintained in chamber A, by regulating the position of contact Illl along the resistance member 266 and then disengaging the clutch I21 so that contact IOI will remain fixed in predetermined position. As above noted, the

throwing out or disengaging of the parts of clutch' I21 does not prevent functioning of the balancing system E, as the shaft-130 is on the motor side of. the clutch.

The rate of change of temperature in chamberA may be made to vary by any desired increments or decrements, by substituting for the gear wheel 93 other compound gears of different ratio so as to either increase or decrease the speed of rotation of shaft 95 arid the shafts driven thereby.

.It may be noted and will be readily understood, that my apparatus may be employed to maintain a predetermined desired temperature difference between twocompartments or chambers by merely substituting for the insensitive, resistance member 259 -a temperature sensitive resistance member similar to member 29. The temperature responsive resistance member which is substituted for member 259 would be positioned in one of the chambers or compartments, while the member 29 would be positioned in the other of the chambers or compartments, so that instead of maintaining v a predetermined desired degree of temperature at any instant in a given period of time about the member 29, I am enabled to maintain about the member 29 a degree of temperature which differs by a. predetermined amount from the degree of temperature about the member substituted for-insensitive resistance member 259.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of. the United States is:-

1. An-apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber, regulatable heating means in said chamber, cooling means in said chamber acting to withdraw heat from said chamber simultaneously with-the supply of heat to said chamber by said heating ,means, and means to regulate the heatsupplied by said heating means in predetermined relation to the rate at which heat is withdrawn bysaid cooling means whereby the temperature of said chamber may be accurately controlled.

2. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber, regulatable heating means in said chamber, cooling means in said chamber, acting to Withdraw heat from said chamber simultaneously with the supply of heat to said chamber by said heating means, means to homogenize the temperature in the chamber, and means to regulate the heat supplied by said heating means in predetermined relation to the rate at which heat is withdrawn by said cooling means whereby the temperature of said chamber may be accurately controlled.

3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber, a plurality of heating means in said chamber, cooling means in said chamber acting to withdraw heat from said chamber simultaneously with the supply of. heat to said chamberby said heating means, and means to vary the rate of heat input by certain of said heating means in predetermined relation to the heat loss from said chamber and to the rate of heat withdrawal by said cooling means whereby the temperature of said chamber may be accu-- rately controlled.

4. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber, heating means for said chamber, cooling means for said chamber, and a balancing system responsive to sensible heat in tially constant rate, an electric balancing system operatively connected to and for regulating the heat supplied by said heating means in predetermined relation to the rate of heat loss and the rate at which heat is withdrawn by said cooling means, said system including means establishing the predetermined-degree of sensible heat desired in said chamber at any instant in a given period of time and including means responsive to the temperature in said chamber and cooperable with the establishing means whereby said system acts to correct for any variation in actual sensible heat from the predetermined desired degree of sensible heat.

6. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber, electric heating means in said chamber, an electric balancing system, said system including a plurality of electric resistance means, one of said resistance means being responsive to variation of temperature in said chamber, another of said resistance means determining the tempearture desired in said chamber, means in said system responsive to the diiference in potential drop across said one and said other resistance means, and a motor operated voltage regulator controlling said heating means actuated by said last-named means to adjust the heat supplied by said heating means in accordance with the degree of variation of sensible heat insaid chamber.

7. An apparatus of the character described, comprising oscillating means actuatable in response tocurrent flow, a plurality of electric contact means, certain of said contact means being open and certain of said contact means being closed, means periodically engaging and moving said oscillating means, and means positioned to actuate said open and said closed contact means.

and adapted to be engaged by said oscillating means when said oscillating means has been moved by current flow and is moved by said periodic means.

8. An apparatus of the character described, comprising oscillating means actuatable in response to current flow, a plurality of electric contact means, certain of said contact means being open and certain of said contact means being closed, means periodically engaging and moving said oscillating means, means positioned to actuate said open and said closed contact means and adapted'to be engaged by said oscillating means when said oscillating means has been moved by current flow and is moved by said periodic means, and means to hold said actuating means in actuated position.

0. An apparatus of the character described, comprising oscillating means actuatable in re-- sponse to current flow, a plurality of electric contact means, certain of said contact means being open and certain of said contact means being closed, means periodically engaging and moving said oscillating means, means positioned to actuate said open and said closed contact means and adapted to be engaged by said oscillating means when said oscillating means has been moved by currentflow and is moved by said periodic means, means to hold said actuating means in actuated position, and means acting, periodically to release said holding means.

10. An apparatus of the character described, comprising oscillating means actuatable in response to current flow, a plurality of electric con-v tact means, certain of said contact means being open and certain of said contact means being closed, means periodically engaging and moving said Oscillating means, means positioned to actuate said open and said closed contact means and adapted to be engaged by said oscillating means when said oscillating means has been moved by current flow and is moved by said periodic means, means to hold said actuating means in actuated position, and means actuated periodically and alternately to said first-named periodic means to release said holding means.

11. An apparatus of the character described, comprising electric contact means, lever means operable to actuate said contact means, an oscillating member movable in a plane substantially parallel to said lever means, oscillating means actuatable in response to current flow and positioned to move between said lever means and said oscillating member'upon current flow whereby to actuate said lever means upon engagement of said oscillating means by said oscillating member, and oscillating means operable to hold said contact means in actuated position.

12. An apparatus of the character described, comprising cooperable contact arm members having electric contacts, a lever member having means cooperable with one of said members, to actuate said contacts, an oscillating member having pivotable support, means to move said oscillating member, oscillating means actuatable in response to current flow and positioned to move between said lever member and said oscillating member upon current flow whereby to actuate said lever member upon engagement of said oscillating means by said oscillating member, an oscillating member having pivotal support and means to oscillate said second-named oscillating member, said second-named oscillating member acting to hold said contacts in actuated position.

13. An apparatus of the character described, comprising cooperable contact arm members having electric contacts,a lever member having means cooperable with one of said members 'to actuate said contacts, an oscillating member having pivotable support, cam means to move said oscillating member, oscillating means actuatable in response to current flow and positioned to move between said lever member and said oscillating member upon current flow whereby to actuate said lever member upon engagement of said oscillating means by said oscillating member, an oscillating member having pivotal support, and cam means to oscillate said second-named oscillating member alternately with said first-named oscillating member, said second-named oscillating member acting to hold said contacts in actuated position when released by said first-named oscillating member.

14. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a balancing system including a source of electromotive force, a plurality of electric resistance members in series circuit, a resistance -member responsive to temperature, a variable resistance member, said last-named resistance members being in series circuit, said circuits being connected in parallel, oscillating means responsive tocurrent flow and being electrically connected to said variable resistance member and at a point between certain ofsaid first-named resistance members, and screw means to vary the resistance of said variable resistance member at a substantially constant rate.

15. An apparatus of the character described, comprising an electrical balancing system having a source of electromotive force and including an electric bridge having a plurality of sets of resistance members in parallel circuit, one of said sets having a variable resistance member, another of said sets having a variable resistance member and a temperature-responsive resistance member, an oscillating means electrically connected across said variable resistance members, heating means controlled by said oscillating means, said responsive resistance member being subjected to the temperature produced by said heating means, and means predetermining the desired degree of temperature at said heating means at any instant in a given period of time, and controlling said second-named variable resistance member whereby the system acts to correct substantially instantaneously for any variation from the desired degree of temperature at said heating means.

16. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a ,chamber having an open-ended duct member therein spaced from the walls of said chamber, refrigerating, means within said chamber operative to withdraw heat from said chamber at a substantially constant rate, electric heating means in saidchamber, a balancing system operable to regulate said heating means and including means responsive to the temperature in said duct, 4 and means to homo'genize the temperature in said chamber.

17. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber having an open-ended duct member therein spaced from the walls of said chamber, refrigerating means within said chamber operative to Withdraw heat from said chamber at a substantially constant rate, electric heating means in said chamber, a balancing system operable to regulate said heating means and including means responsive to the temperature in said duct, fan means to homogenize the temperature of the atmosphere in said chamber, and means to indicate the velocity of flow of the atmosphere caused by said fan means.

18. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a sealed and insulated chamber having heating means and having an open-ended duct member therein and spaced from the walls thereof, an open-ended container member within said duct member and substantially coaxial therewith, said container member being adapted to receive and support a thermostatic means in operative relation to an electric switch means, and a balancing system controlled by said switch means and controlling said heating means, said balancing system including a temperature responsive resistance member positioned in said duct member and including a resistance member for predetermining the desired degree of temperature in said chamber at any given instant in a period of time. 4

19. The method of maintaining within a chamber a desired predetermined variation of sensible heat at predetermined increments of temperature, which comprises supplying heat tothe chamber at a greater rate than the desired rate of increase, simultaneously withdrawing heat at a rate greater than the difierence between the predetermined rate of increase and the rate of increase of the supplied heat, and supplying additional heat to the chamber in accordance with the heat loss from the chamber.

'20. The method of maintaining within a chamber a desired predetermined variation of sensible heat at predetermined increments of tempera- 'ture, which comprises supplying heat to the chamber at substantially double the desired rate of increase, simultaneously withdrawing heat at a rate greater than one-half the rate of increase of the supplied heat, and supplying additional heat to the chamber in accordance with the heat loss from the chamber.

21. The method of maintaining within a chamber a desired predetermined variation of sensible heat, which comprises supplying heat to the chamber at a greater rate than the desired rate of increase, simultaneously withdrawing heat at a rate greater than the difference between the predetermined rate of increase and the rate of increase of the supplied heat, and supplying additional heat to the chamber in accordance with the heat loss from the chamber whereby the temperature of the chamber may be'decreased by substantially constant decrements by cutting off the first-named supply of heat to the chamber.

22. The method of testing the responsiveness to temperature of thermostatic means, which comprises positioning a thermostatic means to be tested within a chamber and in operative relation to an electric switch means, electrically connecting the switch means to an indicating means, and'varying the sensible heat within the chamber by substantially constant increments or decrements of temperature to cause the indicating means to indicate the exact temperature at which the thermostatic means actuates the switch means.

23. The method of testing the responsiveness to temperature of thermostatic means, which comprises positioning a thermostatic means to be tested within a chamber and in operative relation to an electric switch means, electrically connecting the switch means to an indicating means, varying the sensible heat within the chamber by substantially constant increments or decrements of temperature, and homogenizing the temperature within the chamber to cause the indicating means to indicate the exact temperature at which the thermostatic means actuates the switch means.

24. The method of testing thermostatic electric switch means, which comprises positioning a thermostatic electric switch means to be tested within a sealed chamber, electrically connecting the means to recording means, and varying the sensible heat within the chamber by successive substantially constant increments and decrements of temperatureunder control of the switch means to cause the recording means to indicate the temperatures in a cycle of operation at which actuation of the thermostatically controlled means occurs.

25. The method of testing thermostatic electric switch means, which comprises positioning a thermostatic electric switch means to be tested within a sealed chamber, electrically connecting the means to recording means, varying the sensible heat within the chamber by successive substantially constant increments and decrements of temperature under control of the switch means to cause the recording means to indicate the temperatures in a cycle of operation at which actuation of the thermostatically controlled means occurs, and maintaining a substantially uniform flow of the atmosphere of the chamber over the thermostatic means under test.

26. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a balancing system including a source of electromotive force, a plurality'of electric resistance members in series circuit, a resistance member responsive to temperature, a variable resistance member, said last-named resistance members being in series circuit, said circuits being connected in parallel, oscillating means responsive to current flow and being electrically connected to said variable resistance member and at a point between certain of said first-named resistance members, and means to vary the resistance of said variable resistance member at a substantially constant rate.

27. The method of controlling a cycle of temperature increase and decrease within a closed chamber by substantially constant increments and decrements of sensible heat, which comprises positioning within the chamber a thermostatic means operable to effect the change from increasing to decreasing temperature, supplying heat to the chamber at a greater rate than the desired ,rate of increase, simultaneously withdrawing heat from the chamber at a rate greater than the difierenoe between a desired rate of change and the rate of increase of the supplied heat, supplying additional heat to the chamber, controlling the rate of supply of such additional heat in accordance with the heat loss from said chamber, and controlling the first heat supply automatically by the thermostatic means to determine the point in the cycle of temperature increase and decrease at which increasing temperature in the chamber will be changed to a decreasing temperature.

28. An apparatus for testing thermostats, comprising a sealed and insulated chamber having a heating means therein, means in said chamber operable to support a thermostatic means to be tested in operative relation to an electric switch means, refrigerating means in said chamber operable to withdraw heat from said chamber at a substantially constant rate, which rate is greater than one-half the rate at which heat is supplied by said heating means, a second heating means in said chamber operable to control the rate of temperature change in said chamber, a balancing system controlling said second-named heating means and having means responsive to the temperature in said chamber and having means cooperable with said responsive means and determining the rate of change of the heat in said chamber, said switch means, being operatively connected to said first-named heating means and to said system whereby said thermostatic means ,is operable to control said first-named and said second-named heating means, and means controlled by said thermostatic means to record the response of said thermostatic means to the heat in said chamber. 7

29. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber having an open-ended duct member therein spaced from the walls of said chamber, refrigerating means between said duct member and the walls of said chamber, electric heating means in said chamber, and a balancing system operable to regulate said heating means and including means responsive to the tempera-' ture in said duct. I

30. Anapparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber having an open-ended duct member therein spaced from the walls of said chamber, refrigerating means positioned in said chamber between the walls of said chamber and said duct member, electric heating means in said chamber 'and positioned between the walls of said chamber and said duct member, regulatable heating means in said chamber, and a balancing system operable to regulate said last-named heating means and including means responsive to the temperature in said duct.

31. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber having an open-ended duct member therein and spaced from the walls of said chamber, an openended container member within said duct member, said container member being spaced from the walls of said duct member and extending substantially coaxially therewith, screen members carried by and extending across the ends of said container member whereby to decrease the velocity of flow therethrough, refrigerating means within said chamber and positioned between the walls of said chamber and said duct member, regulatable heating means in said chamber, and means to regulate said heating means.

32. In an apparatus of the character described, a closed chamber containing an endless conduit for circulation of a heat transferring medium, means in said conduit to temper the medium, a duct member in said chamber, said member having an inlet and an outlet communicating with.

said conduit whereby a portion of the circulating.

chamber a predetermined degree of sensible heat' at any given instant in a period of time, comprising heat exchange means for the chamber, regulatable heating means for the chamber, means determining the desired degree of sensible heat in the chamber, means responsive to the actual degree of sensible heat in the chamber, means to regulate the rate of heat input by said heating means, means controlling said last-named means, said controlling means being responsive to variation between the desired degree and the actual degree of sensible heat, and a thermostat in said chamber controlling the operation of said heat exchange means. I

34. An apparatus for maintaining within a chamber a predetermined degree of sensible heat at any given instant in a period of time, comprising heat exchange means for the chamber, regulatable electrical heating means for the chamber, means determining the desired degree of sensible heat in the chamber, means responsive to the actual degree of sensible heat in the chamber, a voltage regulator controlling said heating means, means controlling the operation of said regulator, said controlling means being responsive to variation between the desired degree and the actual degree of sensible heat, a thermostat in said chamber, and an automatically operable means controlled by said thermostat and controlling said heat exchange means.

35. An apparatus of the character described, comprising electric contact means, lever means operable to actuate. said contact'means, an oscilmeans operable to hold said contact means in actuated position when said oscillating member moves away from said lever means.

DANIEL D. WaLE. 

